County to pay back portion of loan

Franklin County Board members discussed several topics during committee meetings held Monday at the Campbell Building. The Board also went into executive session for a 15-minute discussion about pending litigation. From left are Keith Ward, Randall Crocker, Robert Pierce, Alan Price and Steve Leek.Rick Hayes photo

BY RICK HAYESContributing Writer

Posted on 8/9/2017, 11:28 AM

A portion of the $700,000 tax anticipation warrant Franklin County officials borrowed from a local bank will be paid back Aug. 15.

Treasurer Keith Jones reported at Monday's county finance committee meeting that nearly $469,000 will be paid back as a result of funds received from the collection of 2016 real estate taxes, payable this year.

"We have until mid-November to pay the remaining $230,000, which we can pay following another distribution in about 30 days," Jones told the Board.

The county will collect about $13 million in real estate tax receipts. Of that amount, the county will be able to keep about $1.3 million, Jones reported.

The treasurer said the county's Common Account stands at $890,000 following payment of this month's claims. He reported the county is at 66.5 percent in revenues for this fiscal year and 66 percent in expenditures.

"We're about where we need to be. We're not doing too badly," Jones said.

However, he did have a bit of bad news for the board in advance of budget talks for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. He told members he received an e-mail from Illinois Municipal League officials indicating the state will lower by 10 percent funds received out of the Local Government Distribution Fund. A similar notice was received by Benton city officials recently. Jones did not indicate how much of a financial loss this would mean for Franklin County.

Jones said state officials are calling this a "temporary" situation and should not affect future anticipated revenues generated by this fund.

In personnel matters, it was reported Kevin Kayter has become the new administrator of the Bi-County Health Department, which includes Franklin and Williamson counties; and Darla Fitzjerrells has assumed the position of Director of Court Services for probation and detention services, which also includes Franklin County. Fitzjerrells takes over for Mike Abell, who recently retired.